Travel tips for Las Vegas: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Las Vegas Wikitravel Website:http://wikitravel.org/en/Las_Vegas
McCarran International Airport (LAS) Information:
Ranking: Number eight in the U.S. and number 23 in the world, with 41.7 million passengers. Location: Two to four miles southwest of most top hotels on the Strip, with some closer accommodations. Major Airlines: No single airline dominates McCarran: Southwest comes close, at 44 percent of the airport's total traffic, but other large domestic lines and a few big foreign lines are represented. McCarran is the major focus destination for Allegiant. Layout: The airfield has three runways: two parallel and a third with a different orientation. Passenger facilities consist of two terminals: a larger all-domestic terminal, and a smaller terminal not connected inside security with all international and some domestic flights. Performance: 79 percent of departures and 82 percent of arrivals are on time, the average departure delay is 52 minutes and arrival delay is 50 minutes, and cancellations are at 0.6 percent. Ground Transportation: McCarran has no rail access. Metered taxi fares to major hotels on the Strip cost approximately $12–$20. Beware of taxis that leave from the airport's south entrance—they are taking you for a ride. A consolidated car-rental center is three miles from the terminal and is accessed by shuttle bus. Numerous shuttles serve most major hotels; fares are $7–$10.
Ruth Bruski - April 2007:
For a great Japanese Buffet, try Makino's (Website: http://makinobuffet.com/ ) at 3965 S. Decatur Blvd, Suite 5 (NW Corner of Flamingo & Decatur) • 702-889-4477. All you can eat sushi, hot entrees and at dinner, they have crab legs and oysters on the half shell.
Mike Summers - February 2010:
To say the least, Las Vegas is a popular destination for revenue and non-revenue travelers. To get to the "Strip" or other casinos from the airport, shuttles and limos are fairly inexpensive. Here's some information about shuttles: http://www.mccarran.com/03_Shuttles_01.aspx and taxis: http://www.mccarran.com/03_Taxicabs.aspx. If you're doing a one-day or overnight trip, you might want to check about rental cars. Thrifty can be pretty inexpensive (Thrifty website: http://www.thrifty.com/ ). Hotwire is a decent way to check on hotel prices Hotwire website: https://www.hotwire.com/login.jsp?forwardId=signout ). Priceline is another good website ( http://travela.priceline.com/hotels/plf=pcln ) for hotel deals. For both of these sites, take advantage of the customer recommendations and read the reviews. When you start winning money, the casinos will start comping your room. Some Scouts have reached that point; sadly, I only go to Vegas to visit the money that I lost on a previous trip.
Of course there is a variety of shows to see, places to eat, and casinos to gamble away your money. All of these are too numerous to mention. Ask a fellow Scout about their favorite. Mine is the Luxor.
Enjoy!
Mike Summers
Where's the best blackjack in Las Vegas? South of the Strip and just off Interstate 15 is a small TA Truck Stop with a casino called Alamo (Website: http://www.thealamo.com/alamo-casino-las-vegas-ta/ ). It has two single-deck tables with rules that give the casino a tiny 0.14 percent advantage against basic blackjack strategy. This translates into an expectation of losing just 14 cents for every $100 you wager. If you love playing Blackjack, check it out.
Mike Summers - October 2013:
We had not been to Vegas in a while so we did an overnight trip. Frontier now uses the relatively new Terminal 3 (Airport Web Site: http://www.las-vegas-airport.org/ ). From the Frontier gate proceed to Baggage Claim Level (down) where you will see signs for "Inter-terminal Shuttle" which take you to door 55. Outside door 55 wait along the curb for the Shuttle which arrives every 10-15 minutes, which takes you to Terminal 1. We decided to use Public Bus transportation to get to our hotel (the Treasure Island) on the Strip. There are two Las Vegas bus routes (RTC Website: http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/ ) that will take you from the airport to either the Strip (Bus 108 Paradise - Map & timetable: http://www.rtcsnv.com/wp-content/uploads/routes/2013/108(07-07-13).pdf ) or to Downtown (Bus 109 Maryland - Map & timetable: http://www.rtcsnv.com/wp-content/uploads/routes/2013/109(07-07-13).pdf ). I asked our Inter-terminal Shuttle driver where we catch the 108 bus at Terminal 1; he said that he would show me. Once we stopped at Terminal 1, the bus stop for bus 108 and 109 was directly across the street from the shuttle stop. It cost $2.00 per person to ride the 108 or 109 bus. You can pay exact change, or purchase a ticket with a debit/credit card at the machine at the bus stop. Neither bus travels along the strip. They both travel parallel to the Strip. The 108 bus travels northbound on Swenson and southbound on Paradise. I asked our 108 bus driver where we should get off the bus along Swenson to walk west to the Strip and the Treasure Island. He suggested the Twain Street stop where we could either walk 30 minutes west or catch the 203 bus west which crosses the strip at our hotel (203 Bus Map & Timetable: http://www.rtcsnv.com/wp-content/uploads/routes/2013/203(07-07-13).pdf ) . We decided to walk. Twain Street eventually becomes Sands Ave. The intersection of Sands and Las Vegas Strip is the location of the Wynn, Treasure Island, Venetian, and Fashion Show Mall.
When we were returning to the airport we had to walk east along Sands Ave. for about 20 minutes to Paradise Street where the 108 southbound bus stop is just a few hundred feet north of the intersection. Once at the airport, hop off the bus, walk across the street and catch the Inter-terminal shuttle back to Terminal 3. Once inside, head upstairs to security and the Frontier gate. Have fun in Vegas and say "hi" to my money. Mike Webster- February 2014:
Went for a day trip and decided to take only bus transportation. Discovered a great and pretty inexpensive way to get to the strip from the airport and back. We took bus 109 like Summers pointed out above then connected at the South transfer station to the SDX which is the express that goes up and down Las Vegas Blvd (The strip). There is also "The Deuce" which is the double deck bus that goes up and down the strip but at times I think you could walk faster then it cause they stop at almost every hotel. For a 24 hour pass that gets you on ALL of the bus routes in the city it is $8! You can buy a pass at the terminal they have set up by the bus stop at the airport. Here's more info on stops and times they operate (http://www.rtcsnv.com/wp-content/uploads/routes/2013/SDX%2807-07-13%29.pdf) There is also apparently another express to and from the airport that I didn't see until pulling up the web page for the SDX called the WAX, more info here (http://www.rtcsnv.com/touristms/images/pdf/WAX-Map-Sheet.pdf)
Also we ate at Gordon Ramsey BurGR and it was amazing. I had the farm burger which had duck breast bacon and a fried egg on top with Parmesan fries and a truffle aioli. Absolutely amazing!(http://www.planethollywoodresort.com/restaurants/ramsay.html#.UwVzVvldXTc)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elise Goshorn - July 2014:
That's right - Vegas in July. A friend, Cindy, and I decided to do a gals trip for a night. We stayed at the Hyatt Place (http://lasvegas.place.hyatt.com). This is the hotel in which the flight crews stay. There is an included breakfast with your room, (continental with fruit, coffee, cereals, breads, pancakes and breakfast sandwiches). It's not too bad. Our room was $99 including taxes, a small suite with living room and two double beds. This hotel is located off the strip and they do have a shuttle that will take you to Planet Hollywood (PlanetHollywoodResort.com) every hour or so. The time they pick you up ends before midnight so keep watch. Also, they have a shuttle to and from the airport every 1/2 hour. We decided to rent a car this time ($28.93 for 24 hours from Thrifty (www.thrifty.com)
We headed to Fremont Street to take in the old sight of Vegas. Hit the Four Queens, Binions and The Golden Nugget. This is a good place to be outside during the day as Fremont Street is covered and offers some relief from the direct sun.
Check out the artists making absolutely amazing painting with spray paint!! I think there are different artists during the day. It's fun to watch and you can purchase a piece of art from them if you wish. Spraypaint Artists at Fremont Street Experience Las Vegas
In the evening we checked out New York, New York and The Luxor. We had dinner at the Public House (http://www.luxor.com/restaurants/public_house.aspx) in The Luxor. The pulled pork sandwich is recommended by me! Cindy had the Cuban sandwich which she said was really good as well.
GET OUT THERE MY FRIENDS!! LIFE IS WAITING! Mark Roemer - December 2014:
Public transportation is a cheap way to get from the airport to the strip. Bus fares are $2.00. Taxis can cost at least $16.00. Do a little homework before you leave for Vegas by checking on which of the following routes will get you to your particular hotel from Frontier's Terminal 3 at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas:
Frontier uses Terminal 3, and there is a free inter-terminal shuttle that can take you to Terminal 1. Route 108, Route 109, and the Westcliff Airport Express all stop at the airport’s Ground Level Zero at Terminal 1. From Terminal 3 you can now take the Centennial Express and the Westcliff Airport Express. To get to these buses, proceed to Door 51 near Baggage Claim 22, then go outside and turn left past the car rental shuttle bus stop and on to the Westcliff and Centennial Express Bus stop. Please note that the Centennial Express only comes and goes from Terminal 3.
You can also access the airport on the Strip & Downtown Express by going to the South Strip Transfer Terminal (SSTT) and riding Route 109 straight there. To plan a trip online, use the Google Transit Trip Planner located on the Las Vegas Transit home page.
At the airport, purchase transit passes using the Ticket Vending Machines (TVM) located at the bus stops on Level Zero of Terminal 1 and 3. TVMs only accept Visa or MasterCard credit/debit cards. Alternately, you can purchase your pass when you board the vehicle. Please have exact change ready. $2.00 for a one-way trip (exact change).
Of course there are many places to stay in Vegas. Most of the hotels now have "Resort Fees", which are basically add ons to the room rate. Don't forget to look for them when booking a hotel.
Kathy Painter - February 2014
There is a wonderful state park about an hour from Vegas - Fire Valley Sate Park - it is worth the drive if you have a car. There are many short hikes and the views and vistas are amazing! Go North on I-15 and take a right at the sign (clearly marked) This is the west entrance. Plan to spend some time as there are many hikes and little drives to do. You can also return to Vegas along Lake Meade (exit east entrance) and it is about the same distance.
Also - if you haven't spent any time in old downtown on Fremont Street it is worth the trip as well. Especially at night when all the lights are on - lots to do and see!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Las Vegas Wikitravel Website: http://wikitravel.org/en/Las_Vegas
McCarran International Airport (LAS) Information:
Ranking: Number eight in the U.S. and number 23 in the world, with 41.7 million passengers.
Location: Two to four miles southwest of most top hotels on the Strip, with some closer accommodations.
Major Airlines: No single airline dominates McCarran: Southwest comes close, at 44 percent of the airport's total traffic, but other large domestic lines and a few big foreign lines are represented. McCarran is the major focus destination for Allegiant.
Layout: The airfield has three runways: two parallel and a third with a different orientation. Passenger facilities consist of two terminals: a larger all-domestic terminal, and a smaller terminal not connected inside security with all international and some domestic flights.
Performance: 79 percent of departures and 82 percent of arrivals are on time, the average departure delay is 52 minutes and arrival delay is 50 minutes, and cancellations are at 0.6 percent.
Ground Transportation: McCarran has no rail access. Metered taxi fares to major hotels on the Strip cost approximately $12–$20. Beware of taxis that leave from the airport's south entrance—they are taking you for a ride. A consolidated car-rental center is three miles from the terminal and is accessed by shuttle bus. Numerous shuttles serve most major hotels; fares are $7–$10.
Ruth Bruski - April 2007:
For a great Japanese Buffet, try Makino's (Website: http://makinobuffet.com/ ) at 3965 S. Decatur Blvd, Suite 5 (NW Corner of Flamingo & Decatur) • 702-889-4477. All you can eat sushi, hot entrees and at dinner, they have crab legs and oysters on the half shell.
Mike Summers - February 2010:
To say the least, Las Vegas is a popular destination for revenue and non-revenue travelers. To get to the "Strip" or other casinos from the airport, shuttles and limos are fairly inexpensive. Here's some information about shuttles: http://www.mccarran.com/03_Shuttles_01.aspx and taxis: http://www.mccarran.com/03_Taxicabs.aspx. If you're doing a one-day or overnight trip, you might want to check about rental cars. Thrifty can be pretty inexpensive (Thrifty website: http://www.thrifty.com/ ). Hotwire is a decent way to check on hotel prices Hotwire website: https://www.hotwire.com/login.jsp?forwardId=signout ). Priceline is another good website ( http://travela.priceline.com/hotels/plf=pcln ) for hotel deals. For both of these sites, take advantage of the customer recommendations and read the reviews. When you start winning money, the casinos will start comping your room. Some Scouts have reached that point; sadly, I only go to Vegas to visit the money that I lost on a previous trip.
Of course there is a variety of shows to see, places to eat, and casinos to gamble away your money. All of these are too numerous to mention. Ask a fellow Scout about their favorite. Mine is the Luxor.
Enjoy!
Mike Summers
Where's the best blackjack in Las Vegas? South of the Strip and just off Interstate 15 is a small TA Truck Stop with a casino called Alamo (Website: http://www.thealamo.com/alamo-casino-las-vegas-ta/ ). It has two single-deck tables with rules that give the casino a tiny 0.14 percent advantage against basic blackjack strategy. This translates into an expectation of losing just 14 cents for every $100 you wager. If you love playing Blackjack, check it out.
Mike Summers - October 2013:
We had not been to Vegas in a while so we did an overnight trip. Frontier now uses the relatively new Terminal 3 (Airport Web Site:
http://www.las-vegas-airport.org/ ). From the Frontier gate proceed to Baggage Claim Level (down) where you will see signs for "Inter-terminal Shuttle" which take you to door 55. Outside door 55 wait along the curb for the Shuttle which arrives every 10-15 minutes, which takes you to Terminal 1. We decided to use Public Bus transportation to get to our hotel (the Treasure Island) on the Strip. There are two Las Vegas bus routes (RTC Website: http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/ ) that will take you from the airport to either the Strip (Bus 108 Paradise - Map & timetable: http://www.rtcsnv.com/wp-content/uploads/routes/2013/108(07-07-13).pdf ) or to Downtown (Bus 109 Maryland - Map & timetable: http://www.rtcsnv.com/wp-content/uploads/routes/2013/109(07-07-13).pdf ). I asked our Inter-terminal Shuttle driver where we catch the 108 bus at Terminal 1; he said that he would show me. Once we stopped at Terminal 1, the bus stop for bus 108 and 109 was directly across the street from the shuttle stop. It cost $2.00 per person to ride the 108 or 109 bus. You can pay exact change, or purchase a ticket with a debit/credit card at the machine at the bus stop. Neither bus travels along the strip. They both travel parallel to the Strip. The 108 bus travels northbound on Swenson and southbound on Paradise. I asked our 108 bus driver where we should get off the bus along Swenson to walk west to the Strip and the Treasure Island. He suggested the Twain Street stop where we could either walk 30 minutes west or catch the 203 bus west which crosses the strip at our hotel (203 Bus Map & Timetable: http://www.rtcsnv.com/wp-content/uploads/routes/2013/203(07-07-13).pdf ) . We decided to walk. Twain Street eventually becomes Sands Ave. The intersection of Sands and Las Vegas Strip is the location of the Wynn, Treasure Island, Venetian, and Fashion Show Mall.
Las Vegas Strip map and information: http://www.vegas.com/lounge/map.html to review. We liked the Treasure Island with its heated pool (it was October!) and hot tub. The buffet was fair/good. Here's information on Buffet ratings: http://www.10best.com/destinations/nevada/las-vegas/restaurants/buffet/ .
When we were returning to the airport we had to walk east along Sands Ave. for about 20 minutes to Paradise Street where the 108 southbound bus stop is just a few hundred feet north of the intersection. Once at the airport, hop off the bus, walk across the street and catch the Inter-terminal shuttle back to Terminal 3. Once inside, head upstairs to security and the Frontier gate. Have fun in Vegas and say "hi" to my money.
Mike Webster- February 2014:
Went for a day trip and decided to take only bus transportation. Discovered a great and pretty inexpensive way to get to the strip from the airport and back. We took bus 109 like Summers pointed out above then connected at the South transfer station to the SDX which is the express that goes up and down Las Vegas Blvd (The strip). There is also "The Deuce" which is the double deck bus that goes up and down the strip but at times I think you could walk faster then it cause they stop at almost every hotel. For a 24 hour pass that gets you on ALL of the bus routes in the city it is $8! You can buy a pass at the terminal they have set up by the bus stop at the airport. Here's more info on stops and times they operate (http://www.rtcsnv.com/wp-content/uploads/routes/2013/SDX%2807-07-13%29.pdf)
There is also apparently another express to and from the airport that I didn't see until pulling up the web page for the SDX called the WAX, more info here (http://www.rtcsnv.com/touristms/images/pdf/WAX-Map-Sheet.pdf)
Also we ate at Gordon Ramsey BurGR and it was amazing. I had the farm burger which had duck breast bacon and a fried egg on top with Parmesan fries and a truffle aioli. Absolutely amazing!(http://www.planethollywoodresort.com/restaurants/ramsay.html#.UwVzVvldXTc)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elise Goshorn - July 2014:
That's right - Vegas in July. A friend, Cindy, and I decided to do a gals trip for a night. We stayed at the Hyatt Place (http://lasvegas.place.hyatt.com). This is the hotel in which the flight crews stay. There is an included breakfast with your room, (continental with fruit, coffee, cereals, breads, pancakes and breakfast sandwiches). It's not too bad. Our room was $99 including taxes, a small suite with living room and two double beds. This hotel is located off the strip and they do have a shuttle that will take you to Planet Hollywood (PlanetHollywoodResort.com) every hour or so. The time they pick you up ends before midnight so keep watch. Also, they have a shuttle to and from the airport every 1/2 hour. We decided to rent a car this time ($28.93 for 24 hours from Thrifty (www.thrifty.com)
We headed to Fremont Street to take in the old sight of Vegas. Hit the Four Queens, Binions and The Golden Nugget. This is a good place to be outside during the day as Fremont Street is covered and offers some relief from the direct sun.
Check out the artists making absolutely amazing painting with spray paint!! I think there are different artists during the day. It's fun to watch and you can purchase a piece of art from them if you wish. Spraypaint Artists at Fremont Street Experience Las Vegas
In the evening we checked out New York, New York and The Luxor. We had dinner at the Public House (http://www.luxor.com/restaurants/public_house.aspx) in The Luxor. The pulled pork sandwich is recommended by me! Cindy had the Cuban sandwich which she said was really good as well.
GET OUT THERE MY FRIENDS!! LIFE IS WAITING!
Mark Roemer - December 2014:
Public transportation is a cheap way to get from the airport to the strip. Bus fares are $2.00. Taxis can cost at least $16.00. Do a little homework before you leave for Vegas by checking on which of the following routes will get you to your particular hotel from Frontier's Terminal 3 at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas:
Frontier uses Terminal 3, and there is a free inter-terminal shuttle that can take you to Terminal 1. Route 108, Route 109, and the Westcliff Airport Express all stop at the airport’s Ground Level Zero at Terminal 1. From Terminal 3 you can now take the Centennial Express and the Westcliff Airport Express. To get to these buses, proceed to Door 51 near Baggage Claim 22, then go outside and turn left past the car rental shuttle bus stop and on to the Westcliff and Centennial Express Bus stop. Please note that the Centennial Express only comes and goes from Terminal 3.
You can also access the airport on the Strip & Downtown Express by going to the South Strip Transfer Terminal (SSTT) and riding Route 109 straight there. To plan a trip online, use the Google Transit Trip Planner located on the Las Vegas Transit home page.
At the airport, purchase transit passes using the Ticket Vending Machines (TVM) located at the bus stops on Level Zero of Terminal 1 and 3. TVMs only accept Visa or MasterCard credit/debit cards. Alternately, you can purchase your pass when you board the vehicle. Please have exact change ready. $2.00 for a one-way trip (exact change).
If you want to take a taxi in Las Vegas, here's a link to calculate taxi rates: http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=LV
Of course there are many places to stay in Vegas. Most of the hotels now have "Resort Fees", which are basically add ons to the room rate. Don't forget to look for them when booking a hotel.
As for food, two iconic Las Vegas restaurants are 1) the Peppermill (Website: http://peppermilllasvegas.com/ ), which opened in 1972, and the Golden Steer Steakhouse (Website: https://www.goldensteerlasvegas.com/ ), which opened in 1958.
Kathy Painter - February 2014
There is a wonderful state park about an hour from Vegas - Fire Valley Sate Park - it is worth the drive if you have a car. There are many short hikes and the views and vistas are amazing! Go North on I-15 and take a right at the sign (clearly marked) This is the west entrance. Plan to spend some time as there are many hikes and little drives to do. You can also return to Vegas along Lake Meade (exit east entrance) and it is about the same distance.
Also - if you haven't spent any time in old downtown on Fremont Street it is worth the trip as well. Especially at night when all the lights are on - lots to do and see!!!